On June 8 1978 — Bob Horner‚ the College Player of the Year‚ is selected first in the free-agent draft by the Braves. Horner will skip the minors and debut on June 16 with a homer in his first game‚ off Blyleven. The Blue Jays make Lloyd Moseby the 2nd selection. The Yankees‚ with 3 first-round selections awarded as compensation in player signings‚ pick Rex Hudler‚ Matt Winters‚ and Brian Ryder. On the 23rd round they take a Clearwater RHP named Howard Johnson‚ who will make the ML as an infielder. MSU’s Kirk Gibson‚ who most teams assume will play football‚ lasts until the 12th overall pick when his hometown Tigers take him. He signs for $200‚000 and promises to drop football. Kent Hrbek lasts until the 17th round‚ and on the 20th round the Phillies gamble on prep all-American QB Ryne Sandberg. Besides Horner‚ 3 other draft picks‚ all high schoolers‚ will jump directly to the majors after signing: the A’s Mike Morgan (June 11); Blue Jays Brian Milner (June 23) and the A’s Tim Conroy (June 23). Morgan is taken in the 1st round by the A’s. Second round picks include Jesse Orosco (Twins)‚ and Cal Ripken (O’s).